Sophia’s Well of Wisdom February Newsletter

February is Heart Month! SWOW is focusing our Wisdom Circle topic on the” Heart of Oneness: Compassion!”Check out the information in this months newsletter and have a heart-felt happy month!

We are planning some exciting 2014 Weekend Workshops. Watch for the announcements in next month’s newsletter after finalizing the arrangements.

Reiki Healing Circle

Wednesday February 12 at 6pm

Reiki Energy-Active Meditation
Reiki Healing Work

Free Healing Clinic

February 22 from 10am – 4pm

30-minute fully clothed sessions

Reiki – Acupressure – Shiatsu – Reflexology

Women Writers at the Well

A new group meets on Monday evenings at 6pm. The group began meeting in February.The group is facilitated by Lynnea Honn, who has led a number of writing classes at SWOW. Lynnea is excited about the group’s potential: Great stuff happening! Everyone is so smart and talented. I feel very blessed to be sharing ideas and intimate feelings with these women. We practice compassionate listening and speaking and work at keeping the environment safe for creativity. The group is still open for members to join, just call Lynnea at 267-5687.

Video Night: Wednesday February 26 at 5:30pm.
We will be showing the video from a recent conference:Daughters of the Civil Rights Movement

An excerpt was shown at our Multi-faith Meditation and Celebration of Oneness on MLK Day, January 20. The group was so impressed with the speakers we wanted to see the whole 2 hour program. So bring something to eat. We have water, tea and coffee available; and we’ll pull out the popcorn. You’ll want to stay for a few minutes of discussion afterwards if you can.

Coming Next Month!Saturday March 22 from 10am – 4pmWomen’s Spiritual Spa Day

The Well will host four seasonal Women’s Spiritual Spa Days in 2014. Group Spiritual Direction ~ Moving Meditation ~ Expressive Arts ~ Self-Care ~ Healing Work

Call Rev. Patsy at 209-418-9003 for more information.

Wisdom Circle

The Wisdom Circle meets on Sundays at 11am following Morning Meditation at 10am. This Sunday we focus on “Compassion & Oneness” through living the Golden Rule. On the 9th the discussion topic is “The Heart of Oneness” when we will respond to the charge made by Mother Teresa when she said “I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?” On the 16th, the circle embraces “The Love of Oneness” through stories. The final Sunday on the 23rd will lead the group to learn about “The Compassionate Ones” as we exam the lives of Great Ones who modeled compassion for all of us. Here is an excerpt from one of the readings the circle will discuss on Sunday the 2nd. All are invited to attend.

From Oneness: Great Principles Shared by All Religions by Jeffrey Moses, pp.3-7

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is the cornerstone of religious understanding. It is the most complete expression of the Oneness of all people, serving as the foundation for peace and universal goodwill on earth.

The Golden Rule is expressed almost word for word to every religion. So fundamental is it to all religious thought that the founders and enlightened teachers of every religion have commented on it directly.

Jesus referred to the Golden Rule as “the law and the prophets.” Mohammed described it as “the noblest expression of religion.” Rabbi Hillel stated in the Jewish Talmud that the Golden Rule is “the whole of the Torah and the remainder is but commentary.” Vyasa, the enlightened Hindu sage, called it “the sum of all true righteousness.” Similarly, Buddha referred to it as “the sum total of all righteousness.” And Confucius, the great Chinese master, deemed it “the one principle upon which one’s whole life may proceed.”

Many people are taught from childhood that living the Golden Rule is an ideal, without emphasizing the practical benefits. When people look upon others as extensions of themselves, all obstacles to fulfillment are removed – both for individuals and society. When the goals of every individual are supported by the activities of every other person, the world has the possibility to flourish in peace and prosperity. For this reason, the Golden Rule should not be thought of as a vague ideal. It is a practical principle that embodies the deepest aspirations of humanity. It service as the basis for all that is positive and lasting in human life.

Baha’i Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldnst not have ascribed to thee.

Buddhism Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.

Christianity Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the law and the prophets.

Confucianism Tsu Kung asked: “Is there any one principle upon which one’s whole life may proceed?” Confucius replied: “Is not Reciprocity such a principle? – what you do not yourself desire, do not put before others.

Hinduism This is the sum of all true righteousness – Treat others, as thou wouldst thyself be treated. Do nothing to thy neighbor, which hereafter thou wouldst not have they neighbor do to thee.

Islam Do unto all men as you would they should unto you, and reject for others what you would reject for yourself.

Jainism A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.

Judaism What is hurtful to yourself do not to your fellow man. That is the whole of the Torah and the remainder is but commentary.

Mohism If people regarded other people’s families in the same way that they regard their own, who then would incite their own family to attack that of another? For one would do for others as one would do for oneself.

Native Spirituality We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.

Sikhism Treat others as thou wouldst be treated thyself.

Taosim Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain; and regard your neighbor’s loss as your own loss, even as though you were in their place.

Unitariansism We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Zoroastrianism Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.

Have you heard about COMPASSIONATE AMADOR? It is a local campaign brought to by Trinity Episcopal Church in Sutter Creek.
Several of us went to the first public forum held at the Civic Center in Jackson last Saturday. Thanks to the efforts of Trinity, the Charter for Compassion is coming to Amador County.

I signed on to the Charter for Compassion a couple of years ago and we had some exposure to the campaign at a workshop and some classes at SWOW. It’s good to know the work is expanding and we can have greater dialog about the importance of compassion in our speaking and listening to and with each other in the life of the community.

Another public forum will be held in Sutter Creek on February 13 at 6:30 at the Sutter Creek Community Center. If you didn’t make it to the first forum, try to participate in the one coming up on the 13th.

Sophia’s Well of Wisdom is a spiritual center focused on wellness of spirit, mind, and body. Through spiritual education classes, spiritual care services, and holistic healing work, we serve the local community of spiritual seekers.

We have a psycho-spiritual, multi-faith, holistic healing approach to spirituality. All are welcome to join us as we explore dimensions of oneness, compassion, peace, and justice for all. SWOW is a not-for-profit charter church of the Light of Christ Community Church and affiliated with the International Council of Community Churches. All classes, workshops, and seasonal celebrations are by donation.